tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17340756.post3383144238778205704..comments2015-02-24T00:56:10.474-08:00Comments on HARDCORE ZEN: HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY AMERICABrad Warnernoreply@blogger.comBlogger46125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17340756.post-65895113874172652008-07-08T14:56:00.000-07:002008-07-08T14:56:00.000-07:00Re: Internet stupidity.It's because people are stu...Re: Internet stupidity.<BR/><BR/>It's because people are stupid, Brad. It's because people are stupid.xopher.tmnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17340756.post-11111164943357873962008-07-07T00:03:00.000-07:002008-07-07T00:03:00.000-07:00A very wise man may once have spoken these words.....A very wise man may once have spoken these words...<BR/><BR/>"An Enlightened Master is ideal only if your goal is to become a Benighted Slave."Moon Face Buddhahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01345340623663874543noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17340756.post-1526884562957596132008-07-06T19:38:00.000-07:002008-07-06T19:38:00.000-07:00Odd....Wanting a teacher and wanting a master seem...Odd....<BR/><BR/>Wanting a teacher and wanting a master seem like two very different things. <BR/><BR/>Buddhist shams could certainly be a dime a dozen, but if I don't open myself up to some senior path-walker I'm likely to end up a bit of a sham myself. <BR/><BR/>I doubt anyone is practicing zazen except they listened to some sort of teaching not of their own. <BR/><BR/>I trust myself, and I trust myself to make mistakes. A "living, breathing, engaged, concerned, [Zen] teacher" would be a good thing to have. <BR/><BR/>Should I shop on this blog, or from the yellow pages....kana?Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08148785647986873693noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17340756.post-61819580232474494522008-07-06T18:53:00.000-07:002008-07-06T18:53:00.000-07:00I met a famous zen master on the sidewalk while I ...I met a famous zen master on the sidewalk while I was carrying a load of laundry. I couldn't bow, so I wondered how I should greet him. I smiled and said 'Good Afternoon". He did the same. <BR/>But if you happen to meet the buddha on the sidewalk by all means kill him as suggested.<BR/><BR/>Don't fret about Brad not answering your emails. He's said he gets lots of them now that he's famous and it may take him awhile to get to yours. <BR/>But if you're in a real hurry, you can send me lots of money and I'll play zen master and even answer your emails n stuff.tarobnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17340756.post-56708838570737175362008-07-06T16:23:00.000-07:002008-07-06T16:23:00.000-07:00Long ago, at a celebration for an auspicious occas...Long ago, at a celebration for an auspicious occasion near the Nakatsu River, I approached a quite senior Zen Monk.<BR/><BR/>"If one is invited to attend a celebration on an auspicious occasion, how is one to acknowledge the celebrant?"<BR/><BR/>His answer: "If one finds some comfort in a bow, then perhaps a bow might be appropriate. If one finds some comfort in a nod, then perhaps a nod might be more appropriate."<BR/><BR/>"If one chances upon a common mendicant, how is one to acknowledge the mendicant?"<BR/><BR/>His answer: "If one finds some comfort in a bow, then perhaps a bow might be appropriate. If one finds some comfort in a nod, then perhaps a nod might be more appropriate."<BR/><BR/>"What then is the difference between the celebrant at an auspicious occasion and a common mendicant?"<BR/><BR/>The Master was silent.<BR/><BR/>Thus, his answer was clear.Mysterionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12649237112389489841noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17340756.post-5287274095097527742008-07-06T15:26:00.000-07:002008-07-06T15:26:00.000-07:00I once asked an internationally very well known Ze...I once asked an internationally very well known Zen Master a question.Mysterionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12649237112389489841noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17340756.post-67650131483822486132008-07-06T13:26:00.000-07:002008-07-06T13:26:00.000-07:00Everything is satisfying!Satisfying: there is a b...Everything is satisfying!<BR/><BR/>Satisfying: there is a blog to check and the means by which to do it<BR/><BR/>No change in the number of comments since the last look: Satisfying there is nothing new to check<BR/>Ah ha, higher number of comments since the last look: Satisfying there is something to check<BR/>Checking<BR/>Like we said before, satisfying: there is nothing new to check, or satisfying: there is something new to check<BR/><BR/>Checked<BR/><BR/>Satisfying to make no comment, or satisfying to add to the comment sections. Satisfying to add to/respond to thoughts of others, Satisfying to add non sequiturs<BR/><BR/>and then? after the blog?<BR/><BR/>the laundry<BR/>or dishes,<BR/>or picking my nose<BR/>whatever is to be done next, worthy or unworthy of my precious time<BR/><BR/>here I come to do it!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17340756.post-41775330763460342912008-07-06T13:08:00.000-07:002008-07-06T13:08:00.000-07:00Sometimes people who resort to phatic communicatio...<I>Sometimes people who resort to phatic communication (thanks jinzang)by way of injecting themselves into the stream of conversation may be simply shy or too self-conscious to say what's really on their minds. </I> <BR/><BR/>SO TRUE! And sometimes they are just immature, inconsiderate jerks.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17340756.post-25393615850879661572008-07-06T13:05:00.000-07:002008-07-06T13:05:00.000-07:00Mr/Ms-Anonymous-who-hates-how-counting-effects-the...Mr/Ms-Anonymous-who-hates-how-counting-effects-the-comment-section-of-the-blog:<BR/><BR/>What is this blog but a mirror of the participants here?<BR/>As such it refuses nothing and no one.<BR/><BR/>The experience you write about: seeing there are numerous comments, arriving at the comment section, scrolling down for ever and ever, getting to the bottom of it all to conclude why bother.<BR/><BR/>Disappointment means you expected something.<BR/>What were you expecting?<BR/>What was this blog/comments supposed to do for you?<BR/>What would have 'satisfied' you? and for how long?<BR/><BR/>New annoyances, that's life!<BR/>Just when you've got things the way you like 'em, there they go a-changin'<BR/>What are you going to do?<BR/>You can take the vow to 'never waste your time again' by coming to this crummy joint on the www, but tell me, where aren't you 'wasting time?' When it comes down to it LIFE is one big Waste Of Time.<BR/>That is a cul de sac<BR/>it's a dead end and it's a cornucopia <BR/>the end of the line and the point from which everything emerges<BR/>whatever experience allows this cul de sac to be explored--well, what a gift that is!<BR/><BR/>Yeah, be annoyed with how pointless the count comments are. Be irritated that your piqued interest in something 'worthy of your efforts' or 'worth your time' wasn't found.<BR/><BR/>Believe it or not, it's a good thing.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17340756.post-61626699513205960862008-07-06T12:53:00.000-07:002008-07-06T12:53:00.000-07:00Sometimes people who resort to phatic communicatio...Sometimes people who resort to phatic communication (thanks jinzang)by way of injecting themselves into the stream of conversation may be simply shy or too self-conscious to say what's really on their minds. They would like to be acknowledged as present but to take the risk of putting forth their actual opinion is daunting.<BR/>I used to be this way and said a lot of stupid things that meant nothing. Now I still say a lot of stupid things that mean nothing but its authentically stupid. And I don't care.<BR/>If I'm going to be rejected I'd rather it be an authentic rejection based on what I actually feel and think and say. Oddly that rarely happens. The paradoxes of reality remain.NellaLouhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07247769132258539996noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17340756.post-61112046174956522572008-07-06T12:47:00.000-07:002008-07-06T12:47:00.000-07:00I've never heard directly from any zen master.You ...I've never heard directly from any zen master.<BR/><BR/>You make your plans to sit a sesshin.<BR/>You go.<BR/>In small ways there are encounters with various persons at the retreat, but 99.8 percent of the time is following the schedule.<BR/>Zen is a self-selected path. There are a coupla flavors of zen out there Rinzai and Soto for two, there's that melange a trois deal called the White Plum Asangha.<BR/>You takes your pick.<BR/>What suits you best?<BR/>It doesn't really matter in the end.<BR/>But in the beginning, it seems very important. (And because it seems that way, it is; and because it is that way it seems so).<BR/>Brad is a teacher.<BR/>There are many.<BR/>Now more than ever--so you're in luck!<BR/><BR/>Cleaning out the garage! Now there's real practice for you!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17340756.post-12975384215911198702008-07-06T11:35:00.001-07:002008-07-06T11:35:00.001-07:00that would be an, not and. yikes.that would be an, not and. yikes.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17340756.post-89782698646506304412008-07-06T11:35:00.000-07:002008-07-06T11:35:00.000-07:00mysteriondan - In case you are awaiting acknowledg...mysteriondan - In case you are awaiting acknowledgment of your guess . . . you are mistaken; I have no problem sitting still for half and hour (and, typically, longer) each day. But thank you for your concern.<BR/><BR/>Lauren, based on your comment here alone, I cannot imagine ever ignoring you. I find your style quite compelling! If only I were Brad . . .Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17340756.post-8155594388579959612008-07-06T11:24:00.000-07:002008-07-06T11:24:00.000-07:00Turty-Tree and a Turd(That's the RPM of an LP for ...Turty-Tree and a Turd<BR/>(That's the RPM of an LP for you kids out there...just Google it.)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17340756.post-42522505729307066002008-07-06T11:22:00.000-07:002008-07-06T11:22:00.000-07:00No, wait, THIRTY-TWO!!No, wait, THIRTY-TWO!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17340756.post-85267147805995114522008-07-06T11:21:00.000-07:002008-07-06T11:21:00.000-07:0069?69?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17340756.post-10641305327848060992008-07-06T09:50:00.000-07:002008-07-06T09:50:00.000-07:00if you get aggravated by some silly person putting...if you get aggravated by some silly person putting up numbers on a blog then you might have a problem sitting still for a half an hour. just a guess..mysteriondannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17340756.post-33335496625655439932008-07-06T09:36:00.000-07:002008-07-06T09:36:00.000-07:00Anti-odometer anonymous....I am so jealous. You em...Anti-odometer anonymous....<BR/><BR/>I am so jealous. You emailed Brad and he responded! How the heck did you pull that off? <BR/><BR/>I was all down in the dumps about my practice. Signed up for the September sesshin, and then uncertain about what all this Zen stuff is really doing for me. <BR/><BR/>Wanting a living, breathing, engaged, concerned, teacher (desiring too much?) and bemoaning a lack thereof on my blog. <BR/><BR/>An anonymite by the handle of "Back At You" baits me in my own blog's comment section to write Brad for advice, on whether a Japan sesshin would be advisable at this time, assuring he would respond. (Lucy sets up the football and Charlie starts running?!)<BR/><BR/>Patiently waiting into the second week now for a response and nada. Yes fires in the hills. Yes new books to write, but come on! <BR/><BR/>I feel like a dupe. I feel like "damn, I gotta do this all myself." I feel like "Why the hell can't I get access to some great or lousy Zen teacher?" I feel like "Fine, Zen's supposed to be just about sitting, so I can do that." I feel like "I can do a sesshin, and I can't wait to bow down on the tatami with a heart-felt 'onegaishimasu' and look Brad in the eye and say 'why the fuck don't you reply to my emails?', or maybe it will just be 'katsu!' and dead silence."<BR/><BR/>My fantasy is that Brad's saying nothing 'cause he wants me to find the moon, not his finger. <BR/><BR/>What the hell is the truth? Now, Now, Now is so empty and so vast. And my garage needs cleaning so I gotta go. Too much desire, too much damn desire. <BR/><BR/>Cheers, <BR/>-LaurenLaurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08148785647986873693noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17340756.post-69306778744563878072008-07-06T09:24:00.000-07:002008-07-06T09:24:00.000-07:00If it is small talk it's the most tedious and mean...If it is small talk it's the most tedious and meaningless form of small talk I've personally experienced.Justinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03635409886545725801noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17340756.post-80501360964186315422008-07-06T09:23:00.000-07:002008-07-06T09:23:00.000-07:00I'm fairly confident that many (though certainly n...I'm fairly confident that many (though certainly not all) feel the same way, or close to it, about the numbers posts, but would prefer not to say so here. I understand that. And I am not so stupid as to expect my voice in this will affect change. I am also fully aware that should it continue unabated (and perhaps I have encouraged it, at least temporarily?), when it bothers me enough, it will be up to me stay quietly away. Again, I just felt it was worth the effort. It's often only effort that leads to change, right? Oh well.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17340756.post-5856671838813638622008-07-06T08:42:00.000-07:002008-07-06T08:42:00.000-07:00I agree about the number posts. Their just a pain ...I agree about the number posts. Their just a pain in the ass. I don't agree with the idea that brad should censor posts here, at least not those that pertain to zen or himself in any fashion (critical or encouraging), but I do think all off-topic material shoud be deleted..including numbers, demons, 9/11 junk and mason conspiracies.Mtrollnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17340756.post-46945115670883109252008-07-06T08:40:00.000-07:002008-07-06T08:40:00.000-07:00#25#25Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17340756.post-26940834153521224042008-07-06T08:11:00.000-07:002008-07-06T08:11:00.000-07:00I am the someone who wrote to Brad about the numbe...I am the <I>someone</I> who wrote to Brad about the numbers posts. I prefer not to out myself here, as this place has grown increasingly hostile, but I do want to explain it a little bit. <BR/><BR/>The correspondence to Brad was just a mild request on the off chance he could block those posts. I never expected he would delete them. Why do I care? Simply because whenever I check the blog and see there are several new posts, I am excited to see what's been offered, what some of the great minds here - those who always make me think, whether or not I agree with them - such as Justin, and Gniz, and <I>moon face ... </I>, and Harry, and yes, even sometimes Mysterion (who has just dissed me); and several other less frequent but still vibrant players have to share. <BR/><BR/>Then, I open the comments section, check the box that asks me if I want to proceed (some security thing) and bother to scroll down for what feels like a very long time until I find where I left off, only to discover all my time and energy were given for the eventual reading of a bunch of numbers posted by people (or one person) clearly just enjoying creating "clever" identities for their <I>count</I> posts. It's hardly a big deal; it's just a drag, an annoyance and a bit of a drain. And it has prevented me from enjoying my time here the way I used to. I may be alone here, but I figured asking Brad about it was worth a shot. So be it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17340756.post-45365070517433956982008-07-06T06:58:00.000-07:002008-07-06T06:58:00.000-07:00I thought you'd already completed book # 3Even whe...<I>I thought you'd already completed book # 3</I><BR/><BR/>Even when a book's finished, it's not finished. That's the zen of publishing.Jinzanghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04155467948613318531noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17340756.post-38346880316925120452008-07-06T05:29:00.000-07:002008-07-06T05:29:00.000-07:00noiret sym laden, do not throw your verbal matches...noiret sym laden, do not throw your verbal matches onto mysterion. the homeless do no deserve incineration and neither does he.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com